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Foster fears repeat of DUP losses - Maskey

Arlene
Foster should be concerning herself about the 3,475 people who were denied
their democratic right to vote at the last election, rather than complaining
about the fact that more citizens are applying for postal and proxy votes, Sinn
Féin MP Paul Maskey has said.

“It’s
quite telling that the former First Minister is today lamenting the fact that
more citizens are quite legitimately applying for postal and proxy votes yet
she doesn’t mention the thousands who were turned away from polling stations at
the Assembly election,” he said.

“The
Electoral Commission have confirmed that 3,475 people were denied their vote on
March 2nd, the highest number of them, more than 400, being in my
constituency of West Belfast. That was the direct result of the unfair and
undemocratic removal of almost 60,000 people from the electoral register in
December last year.

“Arlene
Foster is in denial and trying to explain away the fact that people
overwhelmingly gave their verdict on the DUP’s arrogance, inequality and
involvement in the RHI and Brexit dark money scandals.

“I
suspect she would be quite happy for people in nationalist areas to stay off
the register because she fears a repeat of that verdict in the Westminster
election on June 8th when people will again have the opportunity to
have their say.

“I would urge
everyone to seize that opportunity by ensuring you are registered to vote
before the deadline of May 22nd and this Thursday, May 18th,
for postal and proxy applications. You can do this by contacting your local
electoral office or Sinn Féin representative.”